Local singing sensation Rebecca Evans chats with Mark Rees as she prepares to kick off 2013 with a performance at the Brangwyn Hall alongside the National Orchestra of Wales.

"I thinkit will be much better than anything on TV," laughs world renowned sopranoRebecca Evans, of her upcoming performance in the Brangwyn Hall.

"DowntonAbbey will have been on Christmas Day, which is the only thing worth watching,so come out and enjoy a night of sparkling music instead!"

Born andraised in Pontrhydyfen, Port Talbot, Rebecca is more than familiar withperforming at the Brangwyn Hall, and is looking forward to returning there withthe BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

"It'salways like a homecoming," she says. "One should always try their best – but Ithink I try even more so when I perform there. A lot of the people I grew upwith come to see me. And my best friends, the people I used to work as a nursewith, will be there. We have a big reunion every January, so it'll be great tocatch up with them."

But forall the celebrations, Rebecca, who now lives in Penarth, will also be in a morereflective mood on at the first day of 2013.

"Mygrandfather died on New Year's Eve years ago," she explains, "so its castsomething of a shadow on it. I don't party as such, I find the occasionslightly melancholy."

A firmfavourite with opera fans throughout the world, Rebecca has long been praisedfor her inspirational performances. But she is also a firm favourite among herpeers, and is relishing the opportunity of passing on some of her vastexperience to the upcoming crop of Welsh talent.

"I loveteaching," she says. "I'll probably do more as I mature. If I can pass on someof the things I've learned to help future stars, then I'd love to. In fact, Istill have lessons myself. My teacher is 88, and I'll probably get a grillingoff her on Monday!" she laughs.

Outsideof performing, Rebecca has caught the Twitter bug – but tries to keep it forsocial use only. "I never tweet about my performances – I find that a bitboastful. But I do love reading what everyone else is talking about. I lovecooking and food, so I use it for things like MasterChef rather than work. Andmy husband is one of the top 100 political tweeters in the country, so he's onit a lot too."

BBCNational Orchestra of Wales will be performing at the Brangwyn Hall on Tuesday,January 1.